This is a summarised itinerary. More stops are included in the walk. 

Riddarholm Church

The church dates back to the 13th century and is today one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm. It was originally built as a grey-friars monastery but after the Reformation it was converted into a church.

Storkyrkobrinken

The streets name means “Big Church Slope” and in medieval times it was the main slope leading up to the village church that sat on Stadsholmen. The church you see straight ahead is Storkyrkan – this guide visits the church later on.

Prastgatan

The name, “Priest Street”, comes from the fact that it was the residences of three chaplains and a bell ringer during the 16th century. The residences were demolished in 1708 to make room for the parsonage that is still there today.

The German Church

Back in the Middle Ages it served the local German community and was built in honour of Saint Gertrude, the patron saint of travellers. The German guild of St. Gertrude was founded on the location for the present church in the 14th century. The guild was created by German merchants. They were permitted to build their own church under King Gustav Vasa in 1558. During the 17th century, the church became a major epicentre for church music in Swedish.

Martin Trotzigs grand

This is the narrowest street in Stockholm. It’s 90cm (36 inches) wide at its narrowest point and as the buildings tilt with age, it’s getting incrementally narrower each year. It’s also the only place in Stockholm’s old town where you will see graffiti.

Jarntorget

Järntorget (literally “Iron Square”) is a historic square in Stockholm. The square is the second-oldest square in Stockholm after Gamla Stan. The square was established around 1300 and was the city’s most important trading centre for centuries. The square was originally called Korntorget (Grain Square) but got the name Järntorget in 1489.

Saint George and the Dragon

This statue depicts Saint George slaying a dragon. The legend of Saint George dates to the crusades. Saint George is said to have saved an entire village in Libya from a dragon. Provided they converted to Christianity first, of course. The statue is a replica – the original wooden version is in Storkyrkan church.

Stortorget

This is the main square in Gamla Stan. The medieval square is 0.5m below the present cobbles. Traces of poles indicate that the area had simple sheds in the 13th century. Traces of an older building on the site is believed to date to 1024.

Storkyrkan

Storkyrkan is the Cathedral of Stockholm and is one of the most important historic buildings in the city. The church was consecrated to Saint Nicholas in 1306 but the church was likely built throughout the 13th century. The exterior of the church is Baroque in appearance as a result of changes made throughout the 18th century.

Royal Palace

This is the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The oldest castle was constructed here in the 13th century and was called the Tre Kronor Castle. It stood here until it was destroyed by fire in 1697. The palace was subsequently rebuilt and took a lot of inspiration from other palaces around Europe, in particular Versailles.